Device for suspending curtain

ABSTRACT

A curtain suspension device is disclosed for suspending a sheet-like material from a fixed support rod, comprising a plurality of rings secured to an upper edge of the sheet-like material. In one embodiment, the ring includes a C-shaped member and a pivotal member having one end pivotably secured to one end of the C-shaped member by means of a resilient member, and the other end adapted to close the C-shaped member in an inoperative position. In another embodiment, the ring has a mating member at one end and a corresponding mating member at the other end, the corresponding mating member being engaged with the mating member to close the ring in an inoperative position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to accessory for suspending curtains, drapes, orthe other sheet-like material from a support rod or bar and moreparticularly to such a device with improved characteristics.

2. Description of Related Art

Curtain suspension devices are well known in the art. For example, U.S.Pat. No. 6,494,248 discloses a hanging material such as curtain havingopenings each with a slit therein for attachment to a fixed rod. Eachopening is reinforced with rings having projecting flanges extendingbeyond the ring away from the curtain. The flanges make it easy to openup the ring thereby facilitating the placement of the curtain upon thefixed rod.

But this is unsatisfactory for the purpose for which the invention isconcerned for the following reason: A manual mounting of the curtainupon the rod by closing respective rings is required and it isundesirably time consuming and inconvenient. Thus, the need forimprovement still exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a device forsuspending a curtain, a drape, or the other sheet-like material from asupport rod or bar in a time saving and secure manner when mounting.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description taken withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a first preferred embodimentof one of a plurality of rings secured to an upper edge of a curtainaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ring;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the pivotal member removed;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the removed pivotal member;

FIG. 5 is a front view of an upper portion of a curtain provided with aplurality of rings along an upper edge thereof with a support rodpassing through the rings;

FIG. 6 is a front view showing the support rod to be adapted to passthrough the ring;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 where the support rod has beenthrough the ring;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a front view of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a second preferred embodiment of one of aplurality of rings secured to an upper edge of a curtain according tothe invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the ring of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a front view of an upper portion of a curtain provided with aplurality of rings of FIG. 10 along an upper edge thereof with a supportrod passing through the rings;

FIG. 13 is a front view showing the support rod to be adapted to passthrough the ring of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 where the support rod has beenthrough the ring;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 17 is a front view of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 9, a device for suspending a sheet-like materialfrom a fixed rod in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of theinvention is shown. The sheet-like material is implemented as a curtainin either embodiment detailed below. The device is implemented as aplurality of rings 1′ secured to an upper edge (i.e., hem) of asuspended material (e.g., curtain) f by, for example, stitching. Thering 1′ is made of plastics and is strong enough to support thesuspended material f. The ring 1′ comprises a C-shaped member 1 havingan arcuate inner surface 11, a rounded edge 14 at one end, a recess 12at the other end, an edge 16 at the recess 12, a hole 13 at the recess12, and a mouth 15 formed between the edges 14 and 16.

The ring 1′ further comprises a pivotal member 2 has a curved edge 21 atone end adapted to matingly engage with the rounded edge 14, a hole 22at the other end, and a curved main body 23; and a spring (e.g., coilspring) 3 provided at the recess 12 by inserting a pivot pin (not shown)through the holes 22 and 13. As a result, the pivotal member 2 isimplemented as a spring biased member.

The ring 1′ is closed prior to mounting over a support rod 4 having twoends fixedly secured to, for example, a wall. An individual may pivotthe pivotal member 2 clockwise to open the ring 1′ (see FIG. 6). Next,pass the support rod 4 through the mouth 15 as indicated by arrow S.Thereafter, release the pivotal member 2 which immediately springs backto close the mouth 15 and thus the ring 1′ (see FIG. 7).

The suspended material f is pleated as shown in FIG. 8. As shown inFIGS. 5, 8 and 9, the support rod 4 is through a plurality of rings a1,a2, a3, a4, a5, . . . , and a_(n) to suspend the curtain f from thesupport rod 4.

Referring to FIGS. 10 to 17, a device for suspending a curtain, a drape,or the other sheet-like material from a fixed rod in accordance with asecond preferred embodiment of the invention is shown.

The device is implemented as a plurality of rings 5 secured to an upperedge (i.e., hem) of a suspended material (e.g., curtain) f by, forexample, stitching. The ring 5 is also made of flexible plastics and isstrong enough to support the suspended material f. The ring 5 has ashaped edge 51 at one end, the edge 51 having a projection 511, and ashaped edge 52 at the other end, the edge 52 having a cavity 521. Theprojection 511 is adapted to snugly fit in the corresponding cavity 521for closing the ring 5.

The ring 5 is closed prior to mounting over a support rod 6 having twoends fixedly secured to, for example, a wall. An individual may pullboth edges 51, 52 away from each other to form a mouth 53 (i.e., openthe ring 5) (see FIG. 13). Next, pass the support rod 6 through themouth 53 as indicated by arrow S. Thereafter, release the edges 51, 52which immediately spring back to close the mouth 53 and thus the ring 5due to elastic nature thereof (see FIG. 14). The suspended material 7 ispleated as shown in FIG. 15. As shown in FIGS. 12, 16 and 17, thesupport rod 6 is through a plurality of rings b1, b2, b3, b4, b5, . . ., and b_(n) to suspend the curtain f from the support rod 6.

Advantageously, the curtain in either embodiment is adapted to moveeasily and freely along the support rod so as to provide a barrier orfor decorative purposes. Still advantageously, the curtain in eitherembodiment can be suspended from the support rod in one mountingoperation so as to save time.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means ofspecific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could bemade thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.

1-5. (canceled)
 6. A device for suspending a sheet-like material from afixed support rod, comprising a plurality of flexible rings secured toan upper edge of the sheet-like material, the ring having a projectionat one end and a cavity at the other end, the cavity being beingmatingly engaged with the projection to close the ring in an inoperativeposition. 7-9. (canceled)